[Federal Register: September 21, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 183)]
[Notices]
[Page 54059-54060]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21se07-115]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-
Year Reviews of 2 Species: Chihuahua Chub (Gila nigrescens) and
Navasota Ladies'-Tresses (Spiranthes parksii)
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of reviews; request for information.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) initiate 5-
year reviews of Chihuahua chub (Gila nigrescens) and Navasota ladies'-
tresses (Spiranthes parksii) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973,
as amended (Act). The purpose of reviews conducted under section
4(c)(2)(A) of the Act is to ensure that the classification of species
as threatened or endangered on the List of Endangered and Threatened
Wildlife and Plants is accurate.
The 5-year review is an assessment of the best scientific and
commercial data available at the time of the review. Therefore, we are
requesting submission of any new information (best scientific and
commercial data) on Chihuahua chub and Navasota ladies'-tresses since
their original listings as threatened in 1983 (48 FR 46053; October 11,
1983) and endangered in 1982 (47 FR 19539; May 6, 1982), respectively.
If the present classification of either of these species is not
consistent with the best scientific and commercial information
available, we may recommend a change in Federal classification. A
change would require a separate final rulemaking process.
DATES: To allow adequate time to conduct this review, we must receive
any information submitted for our consideration on or before December
20, 2007. However, we will continue to accept new information about any
listed species at any time.
ADDRESSES: Mail or hand deliver information on these species to us at
the following addresses. Information we receive will be available for
public inspection by appointment, during normal business hours, at the
same addresses.
Navasota ladies'-tresses: Field Supervisor, Attention 5-year
Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Austin Ecological Services
Field Office, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78758. The
office phone number is 512-490-0057. Alternatively, you may send
information via e-mail to chris_best@fws.gov.
Chihuahua chub: Field Supervisor, Attention 5-year Review, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office,
2105 Osuna Road, NE., Albuquerque, NM 87113. The office phone number is
505-346-2525. Alternatively, you may send information via e-mail to
marilyn_myers@fws.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For species-specific information,
contact the appropriate person at the above addresses and phone
numbers.
Individuals who are hearing impaired or speech impaired may call
the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8337 for TTY assistance.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Why Do We Conduct a 5-year Review?
Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires
that we conduct a review of listed species at least once every 5 years.
We are then, under section 4(c)(2)(B) and the provisions of subsections
(a) and (b), to determine, on the basis of such a review, whether or
not any species should be removed (delisted) from the List of
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (50 CFR 17.12), or
[[Page 54060]]
reclassified from endangered to threatened (downlisted), or from
threatened to endangered (uplisted).
The 5-year review is an assessment of the best scientific and
commercial data available at the time of the review. Therefore, we are
requesting submission of any new information (best scientific and
commercial data) on the Chihuahua chub and the Navasota ladies'-
tresses. If the present classification of any of these species is not
consistent with the best scientific and commercial information
available, we will recommend whether or not a change is warranted in
the Federal classification of that species. Any classification change
would require a separate rulemaking process.
Our regulations at 50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish a notice
in the Federal Register announcing those species currently under active
review. This notice announces our active review of Chihuahua chub and
Navasota ladies'-tresses.
What Information Do We Consider in Our Review?
We consider all new information available at the time of the 5-year
review. These reviews consider the best scientific and commercial data
that has become available since the current listing determination or
most recent status review of each species, such as:
A. Species biology, including but not limited to population trends,
distribution, abundance, demographics, and genetics;
B. Habitat conditions, including but not limited to amount,
distribution, and suitability;
C. Conservation measures that we have implemented to benefit the
species;
D. Threat status and trends (see five factors under heading ``How
do we determine whether a species is endangered or threatened?''); and
E. Other new information, data, or corrections, including but not
limited to taxonomic or nomenclatural changes, identification of
erroneous information contained in the List of Endangered and
Threatened Wildlife and Plants, and improved analytical methods.
How Are Chihuahua Chub and Navasota Ladies'-Tresses Currently Listed?
The List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (List) is
in 50 CFR 17.11 (wildlife) and 17.12 (plants). We publish amendments to
the List through final rules in the Federal Register. The List is also
available on our internet site at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/wildlife.html.
In Table 1 below, we provide a summary of the listing
information for both species.
Table 1.--Summary of Listing Information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common name Scientific name Status Where listed Final listing rule
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chihuahua Chub.................. Gila nigrescens... Threatened........ NM................ October 11, 1983;
48 FR 46053.
Navasota ladies'-tresses........ Spiranthes parksii Endangered........ TX................ May 6, 1982; 47 FR
19539.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Definitions for This Notice
To help you submit information about the species we are reviewing,
we provide the following definitions:
A. Species includes any species or subspecies of fish, wildlife, or
plant, and any distinct population segment of any species of
vertebrate, which interbreeds when mature.
B. Endangered means any species that is in danger of extinction
throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
C. Threatened means any species that is likely to become an
endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a
significant portion of its range.
How Do We Determine Whether a Species Is Endangered or Threatened?
Section 4(a)(1) of the Act establishes that we determine whether a
species is endangered or threatened based on one or more of the five
following factors:
A. The present or threatened destruction, modification, or
curtailment of its habitat or range;
B. Overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or
educational purposes;
C. Disease or predation;
D. The inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or
E. Other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued
existence.
Section 4(a)(1) of the Act requires that our determination be made on
the basis of the best scientific and commercial data available.
What Could Happen as a Result of This Review?
If we find new information concerning either Chihuahua chub or
Navasota ladies'-tresses indicating a change in classification may be
warranted, we may propose a new rule that could do one of the
following: (a) Reclassify the species from endangered to threatened
(downlist); (b) reclassify the species from threatened to endangered
(uplist); or (c) remove the species from the List. If we determine that
a change in classification is not warranted, then these species will
remain on the List under their current status.
Public Solicitation of New Information
We request any new information concerning the status of Chihuahua
chub or Navasota ladies'-tresses. See ``What Information Do We Consider
in Our Review?'' heading for specific criteria. Support any information
you submit with documentation such as maps; bibliographic references;
methods used to gather and analyze the data; and/or copies of any
pertinent publications, reports, or letters by knowledgeable sources.
Additionally, we specifically request recommendations pertaining to the
development of, or potential updates to, recovery plans, and additional
actions or studies that could benefit these species in the future.
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or
other personal identifying information in your comments, you should be
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be
able to do so.
Authority: We publish this document under the authority of the
Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: August 21, 2007.
Christopher T. Jones,
Acting Regional Director, Southwest Region, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. E7-18543 Filed 9-20-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P